Juanita LaVerne Ricks

Juanita LaVerne Ricks, 69, of Lufkin, was born February 4, 1942 in Chireno, Texas, the daughter of the late Hattie (Wilkerson) and Jessie Grant, Sr. She passed away Thursday, March 24, 2011 in a local hospital. Ms. Ricks was a homemaker and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed gardening and being outdoors. She always had a Christmas stage production in her yard during the holidays. She was a carrier for the Houston Chronicle and Lufkin Daily News for many years. Ms. Ricks was a member of Keltys First Baptist Church. Survivors include her son, Timothy Ries Ricks of Lufkin; daughters, Brenda Waterman of Nevada and Lynn Pate of Lufkin; longtime companion, William "Mike" Ricks of Zavalla; grandchildren, Justin and Tonya Waterman of Diboll, Kevin and Linda Waterman of Nacogdoches, Angel Herridge of Lufkin and Joshua Floyd-Holiday of Lufkin; great-grandchildren, Gauge Levi Floyd and Makenzie Waterman; and special friends, Anna Hale, Joenett Whisenant, Vernell Merritt, Nelda Poskey, and Leea Hyde (nurse). Ms. Ricks was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Levi Floyd; and 7 siblings. Pallbearers will be Delbert Floyd, Jeremy Karber, Joshua Floyd, Kevin Waterman, and Justin Waterman. Services for Ms. Ricks will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 27, 2011 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Eddie Ballard officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday evening at Gipson Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com. Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.